Super League target set to remain in Australia with NRL giants eyeing up out-of-favour back-rower
Shawn Blore celebrates with Brandon Wakeham after scoring a try during the Round 19 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Cronulla Sharks. Photo by AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.
Super League target and Wests Tigers back-rower Shawn Blore could yet remain in Australia with NRL giants Melbourne Storm reportedly keen on the player.
Blore, 23, had previously been told by his current club that he was free to test the open market for 2024 despite having a year left on his contract.
He missed the entire 2022 season with a ruptured ACL and has been in and out of the first grade in 2023, with only 14 appearances.
Hull Live had linked the promising youngster with Hull FC, although Tony Smith looks to have completed his overseas recruitment elsewhere with Herman Ese’ese and Jayden Okunbor confirmed, and forward Franklin Pele also expected to join the Black & Whites.
Speaking with The Sydney Morning Herald, Blore admitted that he wasn’t entirely sure on his future with just one game left for the Tigers in a disappointing season that looks set to see them finish bottom.
In a fresh twist, the Tigers could yet retain the player, while Melbourne Storm Craig Bellamy has also met up with the former Junior Kangaroos representative about a potential move.
Shawn Blore unsure what the future holds
“I found out through social media I was being shopped around a few months back,” Blore told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“As it stands, I just want to finish the season and see what happens from there.
“I’ll know more in two weeks what’s going on. My heart lies with the club. I hope they keep me, and fingers crossed they do keep me.”
But a move to Melbourne might be too good to turn down under Bellamy, with the 63-year-old premiership-winning coach signing on again to lead the AAMI Park outfit in 2024.
“I remember telling my old man and a few close friends Melbourne were interested – I’m still flattered now [a club] of that calibre was interested,” he continued.
“But I also don’t want to jump ship when things get hard here.
“I want to see the Tigers win.”
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